[bpcyclist]

Okay, so the long awaited weighted blankie finally has arrived from Santa. It is 60" x 80" and 20 lbs. I weigh 190 on the money. I set it all up with my regular blankets and gave it a shot. No-go after an hour. Way, way too hot. So, I pulled all the bedding off, turned the AC on full-blast, and tried again. Slept 6 hours all the way through. That has happened exactly once in the last, maybe, five months.

The questions are, should I have any other bedding along with this thing? How far up on my person should I pull it? Up to my chin? My sternal notch (that's the thingy in the center of your breastbone)? Where exactly? Just how exactly am I supposed to actually use this thing properly?

Many thanks to anyone able to help me out!!

No, don't use other bedding. My roommate has a weighted blanket that weighs 20 pounds and she only sleeps with that. I know because while she was gone during her last hospitalization, I tried to be a good roommate by cleaning her bedroom (she had sand from July when she went to beach all summer on her floor etc.) and when I washed her bedding, her weighted blanket was the only blanket on her bed.

I don't know how helpful that info. is, but I found a link about weighted blankets and how hot/cool they are. I think it depends on the material they're made of:

A Weighted Blanket that Stays Cool? How to Know if It’ll Be Too Hot for You

I'm glad you were able to sleep 6 hours straight though!

[bpcyclist]

Thanks, Blanche--I'll look into this more.

[TishaBuv]

I didn’t like the sensation at all. I also had tried the 20 pound one.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

I didn’t like the sensation at all. I also had tried the 20 pound one.

You felt trapped or immobile or something? Claustrophobic maybe?

[Underdevelopment]

I love my weighed blanket. It took several nights to get used to it, it felt smothering and restrictive to start with. Once I got used to it, now I take it everywhere. Even in hospital a few weeks ago.

I can understand how it could feel as you described. Can you start by sleeping with just part of it on you, e.g. try keeping your feet out?

My sleep definitely improved. Smart watch proved. Not so much in duration, but wake ups during sleep time (toss turn time) and change from light to REM and deep sleep.

[bpcyclist]

Yeah, I am sort of easing into it. I have trouble with getting hot--I freak out if I am hot. I go crazy, it's weird. I'm weird.

Anyhow, yes, I am playing with just having it up to the top of my abdomen. Just experimenting a bit. I'll figure it out. I do think it will help quality and with staying asleep. My major issue now is just getting asleep. Like now, it is 427 AM here and I have still not fallen asleep (tried twice) and have been up for 21 hours or so. Sleep meds just don't work for me. The only one I haven't tried is thorazine. Guess that is next.

Thanks to all for the input--it is very much appreciated!!

[TishaBuv]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

You felt trapped or immobile or something? Claustrophobic maybe?

Yes and I only gave it one chance. Typical of me. They also make a 15 pound one that keeps cool.

If sleep is an issue for you keep trying by all means. I hope it helps. I sleep well typically.

[Thunder Bow]

Try sleeping on top of it.

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Yeah, I am sort of easing into it. I have trouble with getting hot--I freak out if I am hot. I go crazy, it's weird. I'm weird.

Anyhow, yes, I am playing with just having it up to the top of my abdomen. Just experimenting a bit. I'll figure it out. I do think it will help quality and with staying asleep. My major issue now is just getting asleep. Like now, it is 427 AM here and I have still not fallen asleep (tried twice) and have been up for 21 hours or so. Sleep meds just don't work for me. The only one I haven't tried is thorazine. Guess that is next.

Thanks to all for the input--it is very much appreciated!!

Do you think a 15 pound blanket would be a better option for you? Maybe 20 pounds is too heavy and why it's making you too hot.

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

Try sleeping on top of it.

The entire point of a weighted blanket is the weight of the blanket. The weight of the blanket adds pressure against the person's body, which is supposed to give them a feeling of comfort. So, sleeping on top of a blanket won't do that.

bpcyclist here's a review of weighted blankets from 5 pounds to 30 pounds. Maybe the 20 pounds is too heavy for you...

The 12 Best Weighted Blankets for Anxiety, According to Reviews | Health.com

Here's a list of 9 weighted blanket brands that will cool the body...

The 9 Best Cooling Weighted Blankets, According to Amazon Customers

[Mountaindewed]

I got a 17 pound one a few years ago that is so heavy when I use it I get stomach cramps. It is also so hot it’s basically impossible to use. I also got an 8 pound one when I was in treatment as a teenager. It works decently to sleep with. I got a 12 pound one as a Christmas present this year and it is perfect. The first 2 nights I slept with another blanket but last night I just used the weighted one and it was much better with just the one. The 12 pound one is a Sealy brand and was $50. It is amazingly cool temperature wise.

[Underdevelopment]

The heat is an issue for sure. I purchased a bamboo one for summer, but even then can't always use it. I sleep with a fan blowing summer or winter for white noise and am sure that helps.

I've got two 20lb and weigh 150lb. Funny for me, because I loved the weight of a heavy doona yet hated the sheets being tucked in tight.

[Thunder Bow]

Originally Posted by StreetcarBlanche

The entire point of a weighted blanket is the weight of the blanket. The weight of the blanket adds pressure against the person's body, which is supposed to give them a feeling of comfort. So, sleeping on top of a blanket won't do that.

But it be soft to sleep on.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by StreetcarBlanche

Do you think a 15 pound blanket would be a better option for you? Maybe 20 pounds is too heavy and why it's making you too hot.

Yeah, it's possible. It does seem pretty heavy to me, but then, that's the point, I spose.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Underdevelopment

The heat is an issue for sure. I purchased a bamboo one for summer, but even then can't always use it. I sleep with a fan blowing summer or winter for white noise and am sure that helps.

I've got two 20lb and weigh 150lb. Funny for me, because I loved the weight of a heavy doona yet hated the sheets being tucked in tight.

I have to have a fan on--comes from my time living on Broadway on NYC where it was insanely loud. Now, I am hooked on it. Bamboo sounds neat--I've never seen one for sale.

[SlumberKitty]

I have a 20 pound weighted blanket, which I pull up to my neck. In the summer it does sometimes get too hot, then I switch to my 15 pound weighted blanket, but in the winter I can sleep with other blankets on top. It does get difficult to turn over sometimes, but no worse than my cat sleeping on me. I've found it helps with my anxiety. Even if I use it while awake, watching TV I can feel my anxiety decreasing. Hope it works for you @bpcyclist I know sleep has been difficult for you. HUGS Kit

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Okay, so the long awaited weighted blankie finally has arrived from Santa. It is 60" x 80" and 20 lbs. I weigh 190 on the money. I set it all up with my regular blankets and gave it a shot. No-go after an hour. Way, way too hot. So, I pulled all the bedding off, turned the AC on full-blast, and tried again. Slept 6 hours all the way through. That has happened exactly once in the last, maybe, five months.

The questions are, should I have any other bedding along with this thing? How far up on my person should I pull it? Up to my chin? My sternal notch (that's the thingy in the center of your breastbone)? Where exactly? Just how exactly am I supposed to actually use this thing properly?

Many thanks to anyone able to help me out!!

I wish that I knew. My nephew just got a weight blanket.